14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 03, 2014 in Aguila, AZ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/12/2016
Aircraft: AERO TEK INC. ZUNI, registration: N22DA
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The glider was being towed, and just after takeoff, at 100 ft above ground level, the glider separated prematurely from the tow cable. Shortly thereafter, the glider impacted the ground. Examination of the accident site revealed that the glider struck terrain east of the runway at a high-impact angle consistent with a loss of control. Due to the low altitude at which the separation occurred, the glider pilot had limited time and opportunity to successfully land the glider off airport.
Postaccident examination of the glider's release system revealed that it was missing a spring, which likely resulted in the cable not engaging in the detent and caused the premature release from the tow line. Further examination of the glider did not reveal any additional evidence of a mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's inability to maintain control of the glider after the tow cable separated prematurely due to an incomplete engagement of the cable in the control tow release system due to a missing spring.
On May 3, 2014, about 1210, mountain standard time, an experimental exhibition, racing, Aero Tex Inc., Zuni, N22DA, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during initial climb out, while being towed from the Sampley's Airport (28AZ) Aguila, Arizona. The glider was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the glider, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was originating at the time of the accident.
The tow pilot reported that the takeoff was normal and shortly after beginning the climb, he noticed a lightening of the control forces. Subsequently, the pilot determined that the glider had separated from the tow line about 100 feet, above ground level. The pilot of the tow plane circled the airport, and located the glider's wreckage about 300 feet to the left of the runway and about 180 degrees off the runway heading. He then proceeded to land the tow plane uneventfully.
The glider was recovered to a secure storage facility for further examination.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 61, held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane multi-engine land, airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, glider, and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot was issued a third-class airman medical certificate on August 21, 2012, with the limitation stated to must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision. The pilot reported on his most recent medical certificate application that he had accumulated 867 total flight hours and 43 hours in the last 6 months. A review of the pilot's glider logbook revealed that he had accumulated a total of 83.7 flight hours since January 26, 2009. The total flight time logged in the accident make/model glider was 25.9 hours. The pilot was retired from the Air National Guard.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The single-seat, high wing glider, serial number (S/N) 2, was manufactured in 1976, and was registered by the operator under the experimental classification – exhibition racing category. It was built with composite materials and could carry water ballast.
No historical glider maintenance records were able to be located during the investigation.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
A review of recorded data from the Buckeye Municipal Airport, Buckeye, Arizona, automated weather observation station, located about 39 miles southeast of the accident site, revealed at 1215 conditions were wind from 130 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 33 degrees Celsius, dew point -3 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of mercury.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
Sampley's Airport (28AZ) is an uncontrolled airport surrounded by class G airspace. The reported field elevation is 2,208 feet. The airport is equipped with a dirt runway, runway 17/35, 3,500 feet in length and 75 feet wide.
The terrain within the immediate vicinity of the airport was composed of flat fields and brush.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Examination of the accident site by the NTSB investigator in charge revealed that the glider impacted terrain about 310 feet east of runway 17 at an elevation of about 2,215 feet. The glider came to rest inverted and all major structure components were located throughout the 30 foot debris path. Wreckage debris of mostly broken canopy pieces and the left wing was located within about 30 feet of the main wreckage. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a circular area of disturbed dirt. The disturbed area measured about 2 feet in diameter and about 8 inches deep. Within the disturbed dirt, portions of the canopy bow and windshield fragments were observed. Extending from each side of the FIPC, was an area of disturbed dirt that were 180 degrees offset from each other and extended to about 25 feet in length and about 2-3 inches in width.
The fuselage came to rest on a heading of about 340 degrees magnetic approximately 6 feet from the FIPC. The wings remained attached to the main fuselage. Both wings exhibited leading edge damage for about the outer half portion. The right aileron was detached but located in the debris field. The fuselage that connected the empennage was separated in three sections and remained attached to the main fuselage only by the flight control tubes. No evidence of water ballast was observed.
The empennage was mostly intact. The vertical stabilizer, rudder and horizontal stabilizers remained attached at all their respective attach points.
The postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Maricopa County, Office of Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on the pilot on May 5, 2014. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was "multiple blunt force injuries."
The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. According to CAMI's report, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were tested, and had negative findings.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
Examination of the tow airplane's tow line, line connection, and release mechanism by the NTSB investigators revealed no anomalies.
The glider's tow cable release control system was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, for further examination. Examination of the tow cable release system by a Senior Materials Engineer revealed that no spring was observed in the cable release components that would cause the pawl to automatically engage the cable hook detent. On further examination, a recess was observed that appeared to be a retaining hole for the spring. Deposits were observed to be uniformly in line inside the interior of the spring retaining hole but exhibited no evidence of contact with a spring. Additionally, no evidence of contact with a spring was observed on the housing interior surfaces.
A detailed examination report for the glider release mechanism is contained in the Materials Laboratory factual report located in the public docket.
Further examination of the recovered glider revealed no additional anomalies that would preclude normal operation.
Several personal electronic devices were located in the wreckage and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for examination and readout. The devices did not contain any specific information relevant to the accident flight.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The FAA Glider Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-13) states the following with regard to a launch with a tow failure, without adequate runway to land below and below returning altitude.
"If an inadvertent release, towline break, or a signal to release from the towplane occurs at a point at which the glider has insufficient runway directly ahead and has insufficient altitude (200 feet above ground level AGL) to make a safe turn, the best course of action is to land the glider ahead."
Additionally, the handbook discusses towing failures.
"Premature terminations of the tow have been a leading cause of glider accidents and incidents according to the Soaring Safety Foundation,…Prevention is achieved with the proper use checklists and proper prelaunch discipline. ... While the best course of action depends on many variables, such as runway length, airport environment, density altitude, and wind, all tow failures or emergency release have one thing in common: the need to maintain control of the glider. Two possibilities are stalling the glider or dragging a wingtip on the ground during a low altitude turn."
NTSB Identification: WPR14FA181
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 03, 2014 in Aguila, AZ
Aircraft: AERO TEK INC. ZUNI, registration: N22DA
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On May 3, 2014, about 1210 mountain standard time, an experimental exhibition Aero Tek Inc., Zuni, N22DA, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during initial climb out from Sampley's Airport (28AZ) Aguila, Arizona. The glider was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the glider, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight.
The tow pilot reported that takeoff was normal and shortly after beginning the climb, the pilot noticed a lightening of the control forces. Subsequently, the pilot determined that the glider had separated from the tow line about 100 feet, above ground level.
Examination of the accident site by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators revealed that the glider impacted terrain about 350 feet east of 28AZ.
The glider was recovered to a secure storage facility for further examination.
AGUILA AZ. N22DA, AERO TEK ZUNI (GLIDER), BEING TOWED BY N9295B, CESSNA C175, ON DEPARTURE, RELEASED FROM TOW LINE AT 100 FEET AGL THEN IMPACTED GROUND TURNING BACK TO ARPT.
Major General Robert Knauff: Flyover salute
The F-16 missing man formation flyover was for Major Gen. Robert Knauff, who retired from the New York Air National Guard after 33 years of service, according to the state Division of Military & Naval Affairs. Knauff served as both Chief of Staff and Commander of the 6,000-member force as well as the deputy adjutant general for the New York National Guard. Knauff was a former commander of the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse and a pilot with over 3,900 flying hours.
The low-flying F-16 "Fighting Falcon" aircraft flew at an altitude of about 1,000 feet during the ceremony.
Source: http://www.timesunion.com
Members of the
Stratton Air Force Base Honor Guard move the remains of Major General
Robert Knauff, the former Commander of the N.Y. Air National Guard,
during burial services at Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery Tuesday
afternoon, May 20, 2014, in Saratoga, N.Y.
Members of the
Stratton Air Force Base Honor Guard move the remains of Major General
Robert Knauff, the former Commander of the N.Y. Air National Guard,
during burial services at Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery Tuesday
afternoon, May 20, 2014, in Saratoga, N.Y.
Retired Maj. Gen. Robert A. Knauff
LATHAM, NY (05/20/2014)
-- The 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard will provide a
missing man formation flyover over the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga
National Cemetery in Saratoga at about 12:30 p.m. today during a
military veteran's funeral.
The F-16 flyover is for
Major General Robert Knauff who retired from the New York Air National
Guard after 33 years of service. Knauff served with distinction as both
Chief of Staff and Commander of the 6,000 member New York Air National
Guard as well as the deputy adjutant general for the New York National
Guard. Knauff was a former commander of the 174th Fighter Wing in
Syracuse and an accomplished pilot with over 3,900 flying hours.
Area residents should not
be impacted by the low-flying F-16 'Fighting Falcon' aircraft, which
will be flying at an altitude of about 1,000 feet during the ceremony.
New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Location: Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
Address: 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY
The Burial with full Military Honors will take place today at 12pm in Saratoga.
http://taitfuneralhome.com
Retired
Maj. Gen. Robert A. Knauff, stands in front of a small arms firing
range at the Air National Guard at Hancock Field in Syracuse, N.Y. in
2003. Knauff commanded the Syracuse-based 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock
Field from 1996 to 2003.
02/28/2006: Rep. Maloney and former Member Sue Kelly meet with Major Gen. Robert Knauff, chief of staff of the New York Air National Guard, and Major Gen. Joeseph Taluto of the 42nd Infantry Division of the New York Army National Guard.
Retired Major General Robert Knauff
Syracuse, NY -- A retired fighter pilot and former New York Air National Guard commander from Cazenovia was killed Saturday while piloting his glider plane in the desert northwest of Phoenix, authorities said.
Retired Maj. Gen. Robert A. Knauff, a combat veteran with more than 3,900 flying hours, was about 100 feet in the air in Aguila, Ariz. when a towrope connecting him to an airplane somehow became disconnected, a Maricopa County sheriff's spokesman told The Associated Press.
Witnesses told investigators Knauff -- the registered owner of the aircraft -- appeared to try making a sharp turn and then the glider plane stalled, hitting a pole, according to the AP.
Knauff was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 61.
The New York National Guard issued a statement Sunday saying its members are mourning the loss of its former commander.
Knauff commanded the Syracuse-based 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field from 1996 to 2003. He then became chief of staff for the New York Air National Guard, and then commander in 2005.
When he was commander, New York's 109th Airlift Wing flew many missions with lots of materials to build a research station in Antarctica, said his sister Christy Fitzpatrick, of Colorado.
After he retired, the National Science Foundation named a mountain in Antarctica in his honor, she said. Fitzpatrick said she once found "Mt. Knauff" on Google Earth.
"He was pretty modest, but I think he was pleased," Fitzpatrick said. "I thought it was pretty cool."
Fitzpatrick said her brother always brought out the best in the people with whom he worked.
"He was very fair," she said. "He was very direct. And he really cared about his people."
Knauff commanded the 6,000-member New York Air National Guard and served as deputy commander of the 17,000 men and women of the New York Army and Air National Guard, according to the New York National Guard. He retired from the military in February 2009.
"Our entire military family extends our deepest sympathies on the loss of this great Air Force leader and friend," Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, the adjutant general and commander of the New York National Guard, said in a prepared statement. "Bob Knauff stayed active in his support of soldiers and airmen even in his retirement years and our National Guard has lost a tremendous leader and supporter."
Knauff's death comes just months after his wife, Tara Howard Knauff, died of cancer in October. They had been married for one year and four months.
His first wife, Kathy Knauff, died of cancer in 2009.
Robert Knauff lived in Cazenovia, Madison County, and remained active in the Central New York community, according to his sister and the military. He was an advisor emeritus with the Syracuse area Salvation Army and involved in its annual Christmas Bureau. Knauff aldo belonged to a local glider club, Fitzpatrick said.
He recently served as chief executive officer at Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR) in Rome, where he was involved in the proposal to bring drone research to Central New York, his sister said. He also served as a chairman of the Board for the Military Association of New York, according to the military.
Knauff received many awards over the years, including the Legion of Merit, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal and New York State Defense of Liberty Medal.
Tait Funeral Home in Cazenovia is still finalizing Knauff's funeral arrangements. Knauff is survived by his sister, and several nieces and nephews.
Story, photo and comments: http://www.syracuse.com
Former 174th, NY Air Guard commander dies in glider crash: Major General Robert Knauff was a veteran Air Force fighter pilot
Retired Air Force Major General Robert Knauff, who commanded the Syracuse-based 174th Fighter Wing, and then the New York Air Guard, has died in a glider crash.
Knauff assumed command of the 174th Fighter Wing in 1996, after being transferred here from the New Jersey Air Guard. He assumed command of the New York Air guard in 2005, until his retirement from the military in 2009. He was a 1971 US Air Force Academy graduate, and a veteran fighter pilot, with over 39-hundred hours logged.The Manlius resident remained active in Syracuse-area community groups, including with the Salvation Army Syracuse board of directors.
The Maricopa, Arizona Sheriff's Department says Knauff was flying in Aguila, Arizona, near Phoenix on Saturday.
The glider, which he owned, was about 100 feet in the air when a towrope connecting him to an airplane somehow became disconnected. Witnesses told investigators Knauff appeared to try making a sharp turn and then the glider stalled, hitting a pole. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash, and said the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will determine the probable cause.
Robert Knauff was 61. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
PHOENIX -- The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says the pilot of a glider plane has died after a failed take off in Aguila, Ariz., Saturday afternoon.
MCSO spokesman Christopher Hegstrom says the accident happened Saturday afternoon in Aguila.
Hegstrom confirmed Saturday night the victim was Robert Knauff, a retired major general. The aircraft is registered to an address in New York where Knauff had been commander of the New York Air National Guard.
According to witnesses, an airplane was taking the glider into the air when the towing rope somehow became disconnected.
Hegstrom says the glider pilot was about 100 feet up and made a sharp turn, falling to the ground.
There were no other injuries. It was not known how many people were on board the airplane towing the glider.
Hegstrom says the area is popular with air gliders.
Aguila is about 85 miles outside of Phoenix.
